Chicago Movie Girls by Diana Reep & Emily Ann Allen

Author:Diana Reep & Emily Ann Allen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sisters, movies, women's fiction, early 20th century
Publisher: Diana Reep
Published: 2017-07-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

Rae pulled the last cranberry through the heavy thread, tied off the end, and handed the string to Ida who draped it over the branches of the official RidgeW Christmas tree, a short, scrawny pine set up in the back studio that usually served as the saloon for the westerns. Rae had offered to help with the arrangements for the Christmas party, but Ida had taken charge and settled on the food, drink, and decorations. She’d ordered Bud up on a ladder to loop green and red crepe paper around the doors and windows and tie red ribbons to the overhead lights. Finally, she’d insisted on a sizeable cluster of mistletoe tied to a low-hanging light in the center of the room.

“That’s for Billy,” she said, winking at Rae. “He won’t have to strain too much to catch someone under it.”

Rae took a paper angel out of a box. “I thought you warned the girls away from Billy.”

“It’s Christmas. Even Billy deserves a little present.” Ida chuckled as she poked the angel over the twig sticking up near the top of the tree. She glanced at the opposite end of the room where Lily was filling cups with punch and adding a splash of gin when requested. “Wasn’t sure Lily would come to the party. She’s been gloomy.”

“She’s still suffering over Eddie,” Rae said, “but I told her we needed help. I don’t know where Delia is—somewhere with Chester.”

Ida arranged the red cotton skirt around the tree stand. “Lily’s lucky Matt took her back. He was furious—doesn’t show it much, but I can tell when he’s boiling.”

Rae was silent. Luck had nothing to do with Lily’s return. She’d had to beg Matt to give Lily another chance and suspected she’d only succeeded because he wanted “Dora” to be happy.

The outside door opened. Wind and light snow swirled into the room for an instant as Lukas entered, carrying a box marked Krauss’s Bakery. A thin layer of snow covered his overcoat, and his black hair glistened with melting flakes. He shook his head, sending a cold mist over Rae. Opening his coat to shake off the snow, he grinned. “Merry Christmas, Rae. Heard from your old man?”

“Merry Christmas. You know Pa won’t be back in town.” His question and her answer were the same every time they saw each other—a running joke. She’d stopped being nervous about Lukas and Pa months ago.

“You never know. Danger for Dora is in a lot of theaters. I’m betting Maxie will see you and think you’re rich.”

Rae gave a mock groan. “I wish I was rich.”

Lukas slicked his hair back into place. “What’s Matt paying you these days?”

“Twenty-five a week, same as always.”

“Not much of a deal maker, are you? You ought to have fifty a week at least. I’ll talk to Matt.” He winked at Ida. “Run away with me, Ida. We need some sun. Miami sounds good.”

Ida put her hands on her hips and cocked her head. “You couldn’t handle me.”

He laughed. “Maybe not, but I could die trying.

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